Aromas of confit lemon, shortbread biscuit, fresh pineapple and salted nuts. The palate is medium-bodied with bright acidity and a rounded, creamy texture, supported by bright acidity. Lovely balance and purity. Drink or hold.

The loamy soil and ripe black-berry aromas trigger happy summertime gardening memories. There also this interesting savory note floating about that reminds me of a cross between hoisin sauce and black pepper. The blackberry flavor is tart, and this time it is matched with earthy oregano and black tea. The tannins are firm, but not chewy.

This is very good Pinot Noir by any standard, though the quoted price of $85 (pulled from the website for the 2023 rendition rather than this 2022) may be pushing its luck by a bit. With that noted, it displays very good proportionality, with naturally sweet fruit notes (dark cherry first in line, as usual) set off very well by freshening acidity and fine-grained tannins, both of which come off as natural extensions of the fruit component rather than distinct elements that are “sticking out” in sensory terms. The wood employed during elevage is also very well integrated, making this a very successful wine. I doubt that anyone would fail to enjoy it thoroughly, even if they were the one picking up the check in a restaurant or being rung up at a retail cash register.

An impressive version, offering tangy tangerine, mango, citrus and melon flavors that are plump and expressive, with notes of orange sherbet, peach preserves and ginger, plus a touch of crème anglaise that adds to the feeling of richness. Vanilla and toast accents round out the profile. Drink now through 2033. 200 cases made.

The 2022 Siduri Pinot Noir from the Sta. Rita Hills delivers a layered and expressive profile that captures the windswept tension of the appellation. Raised in 25% new French oak over 10 months, it opens with a burst of ripe cranberry, dried hibiscus, and raspberry preserves, woven with flinty undertones and a trace of crushed seashell. The palate brings a supple yet structured frame, where notes of red currant and cherry compote unfold alongside hints of sassafras and graphite. There’s a savory pull beneath the fruit—think sun-dried herbs and dusty loam—that adds dimension and intrigue. Despite its density, the wine carries a cool-climate elegance with lifted acidity and a persistent mineral streak that refreshes through the finish. About 100 cases made

Started as an experiment in 2017, this is a terrific wine that far exceeds expectation of an entry-level offering. The Capensis 2022 Stellenbosch Silene Chardonnay is a medium- to full-bodied white with generous softness and volume to support aromas of orchard fruit, white flower and salty mineral. Graham Weerts refers to his winemaking philosophy as an "adapted Burgundian methodology." For example, he does not inoculate for malolactic fermentation, but 10% to 15% goes into a secondary spontaneous fermentation. "This is a South African twist on Burgundy," he says. All vineyard sites give lots of acidity. He also works on pressure and takes the best from whole-bunch pressing. The rest is sold off as bulk. The wine remains on the gross lees for up to 12 months, with stirring once a month. He creates a reductive environment "like a baby in the womb." Silene goes into bottle immediately, whereas the Capensis Chardonnay spends an additional six to eight months in stainless steel tank to "scar up," as he puts it. This is a release of 30,000 bottles.

The 2022 Cabernet Franc is 100% Cabernet Franc. Deep garnet-purple in color, it is a little youthfully subdued, slowly emerging from the glass with notes of baked red cherries, mulberries, and pencil shavings, plus touches of clove oil and fallen leaves. The full-bodied palate has a firm backbone of chewy tannins and bright acidity framing the berry preserves flavors, finishing savory.

The 2022 Malbec is 100% Malbec. Deep garnet-purple in color, it rockets out of the glass with powerful notes of baked blueberries, dark chocolate, and violets, leading to a core of preserved plums and spice box. The full-bodied palate is rich and juicy with a light chewiness to the texture and a lively line to give lift to the fruity finish.

The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec, 1.5% Merlot, and 0.5% Petit Verdot. Deep garnet-purple in color, notes of blueberry pie and prunes jump from the glass, leading to hints of Chinese five spice, unsmoked cigars, and cedar. The full-bodied palate is dense and chewy with a lively line and firm finish.

Quite light in color in the glass with a lovely, classical nose of wild strawberry and red rose. Beautiful on the palate as well with great fruit and minerality. For me, this is a classic rosé, fruit, acidity, balance, verve; it has it all

Taut and nervy, with lively notes of pine needle and savory that poke out from a core of gently mulled strawberry and raspberry fruit. A brisk oyster shell accent leaves a mouthwatering echo on the finish. For fans of the minerally style. Drink now through 2031.—J.M.

Piercing aromas and flavors of cherry, pomegranate, blackberry, violet, mineral and sweet spices mark this racy red. Solidly built, with dense, finely wrought tannins and a long, detailed aftertaste. Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot. Best from 2027 through 2043.—B.S.

This red is sleek and engaging, offering cherry, raspberry, blackberry and mineral aromas and flavors. Harmonious, with beautifully integrated tannins and vibrant acidity. The finish is long and detailed. Sangiovese and Merlot. Drink now through 2038.—B.S.

Retail $25. Under screw cap. 100% Pinot Noir. Medium color with strawberry and a hint of rhubarb on the nose. Good fruit on the palate as well, but far from fruit-bomby. Really well balanced and tasty. There is a bit of flintiness on the finish that I didn’t love, but this is a fantastic rosé.

The 2023 Ovitelli Blanc is a blend of Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Roussanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc. This is quite enchanting in a finer, detailed style as it builds aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and acacia. The 2023 is fresh and composed with some serious acidity which is well matched to layers of tight flavor, accented by an attractive bite of skin tannins before building into a long, seamless finish. This confident release was enhanced by the cooler growing season.

The 2022 Cabernet Franc The Nest is well composed, delivering fine-tuned aromas of blackcurrant and gravel with plummy richness and cedary oak sitting in unison. This is medium-bodied and savory, with earthy/gravel tones at its heart while a firm line of sinewy tannins keeps impressive focus over an extended, fine finish.

The 2022 Shiraz Brooks Road impresses with its style and substance. On the nose, lashings of blackberry and cherry compote aromas develop underneath meaty and spicy tones. It has a deliciously overt vibrancy and energy as it bursts with flavor, fresh acidity and powdery tannins, which build a strong, linear finish that combines to offer a strong medium-term proposition.

There's terrific energy to the ripe, round flavors of blueberry, spiced plum. Date and kirsch as they give way to white pepper- infused accents of spices, herbs and tobacco. Shows appealing touches of loam and fried mushroom on the finish.—M.W.

Black olive tapenade, date-nut bread and bittersweet chocolate notes mingle with a core of cassis, blackberry and huckleberry on a velvety frame. A juicy thread of acidity keeps the flavors lively and focused, with espresso, cedar and herbal hints firming up on the finish. —M.W.

This delivers the fresh and vivid profile of the vintage, with a burst of iris and violet notes backed by juicy red currant and cherry compote details. Apple wood and iron accent the finish while letting the fruit course through. Best from 2026 through 2038. 1,649 cases made.

The 2022 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard from this great vineyard holds the heat of the vintage well, displaying both richness and freshness with ample tannin and structure. The dark berry fruit is accented in cardamom, clove, and nutmeg with earthy notes of forest and sage. Drink or cellar through 2030.

From the southern end of the appellation, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sierra Mar Vineyard was grown in sandy, rocky soils where the water percolates right through. A powerful wine always, but particularly in this warm vintage, it showcases a depth of dark fruit, earth, and clove, with meaty, savory accents. The oak keeps it cohesive and in check. Drink now through 2030.

The 2023 Pinot Noir is defined more by acidity than tannin, displaying an elegantly light, bright and broadly appealing degree of freshness and breadth. A little more whole-cluster fermentation (15-20%) was used than in warmer vintages, adding spice and complexity. It should age well 5-7 years.

was a light to medium yellow/gold color with a dark gray penumbra. Aromas were lovely warm white chocolate, pome blossoms, citrus and dusty oak notes. More than medium-bodied, not quite dry, fair acidity, luscious, beautifully balanced oak, and great flavors reflective of the aromas with apple and white pepper notes. Finished long on the trailing palate, accelerating ginger, and a spot-on 13.5% alcohol. Paired perfectly with my fried chicken. Worth every penny!!!

Dark plums, black fruits, chocolate, and spice notes emerge from the 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Sycamore Vineyard, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it shows good density and mid-palate depth, with ripe, velvety tannins and outstanding length. Drink over the coming 7-9 years.